Tagged: whooping cough

Washington state's worst outbreak of whooping cough in decades has prompted health officials to declare an epidemic.

Whooping cough has made a big comeback across Washington. With more than 900 cases statewide, the illness hit its highest numbers last year since a similar spike in 2005. 

It’s reached epidemic proportions in Snohomish County. 

The situation there is serious enough that health agencies offered two free vaccination clinics last Saturday – and plan another one later this month.

EVERETT, Wash. — Snohomish County health officials are trying to slow the spread of whooping cough by offering free vaccinations to low-income adults at risk of contracting the disease.

The Daily Herald reports about 450 doses will be available from the health district Saturday in Everett and Marysville.

Snohomish County typically has 24 to 45 cases of whooping cough a year. So far it already has 51.

A whooping cough outbreak at an elementary school in north Tacoma has sickened at least six children.  Investigators are looking into additional cases. 

The disease, also known as pertussis, can cause serious illness in young children, especially infants.  More than one-third of infants less than one year old who get the disease must be hospitalized, according to the Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department.